Absorbent interlabial device with substance thereon for maintaining the device in position

Abstract

An absorbent interlabial device worn by female wearers for catamenial purposes, incontinence protection, or both, is disclosed. The absorbent interlabial device has at least one body-contacting surface which comprises a substance that contacts the wearer's body for assisting the interlabial device in staying in place in the desired position in the interlabial space. The substance can be either adhesive or non-adhesive. In embodiments in which the substance is non-adhesive, it may have no initial tack so that it will not stick to the wrong portions of the wearer's body when the device is placed between the labia. Non-adhesive substances include moisture-activated substances which become viscous and develop a tack when contacted by relatively small amounts of moisture.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An absorbent device insertable into the interlabial space of a female wearer, said absorbent device having at least one body-contacting surface, a length, a width, a thickness, and a longitudinal centerline, said absorbent device comprising a non-adhesive substance having no initial tack on said body-contacting surface wherein said non-adhesive substance is capable of contacting the inside of the wearer's labia to assist the absorbent device in staying in place in the desired position in the interlabial space. 
     
     
       2. The absorbent device of  claim 1  wherein said non-adhesive substance is selected from the group consisting of: waxes, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, surfactants, petroleum jelly, and sealing ointments. 
     
     
       3. The absorbent device of  claim 1  wherein said non-adhesive substance comprises a non-digestible fat. 
     
     
       4. The absorbent device of  claim 1  wherein said non-adhesive substance comprises a moisture-activated substance. 
     
     
       5. The absorbent device of  claim 4  wherein said moisture-activated substance is of a type that develops a tack when contacted by an amount of moisture up to a first amount, and loses its tack when contacted by a second amount of moisture in excess of said first amount. 
     
     
       6. The absorbent device of  claim 5  wherein said moisture-activated substance is selected from the group consisting of: sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycols, glycols, polyols, surfactants, ethoxylated alcohols, and sugars. 
     
     
       7. The absorbent device of  claim 5  wherein said moisture-activated substance comprises a mixture of sodium carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene oxide, and water. 
     
     
       8. The absorbent device of  claim 1  wherein said non-adhesive substance is water soluble. 
     
     
       9. The absorbent device of  claim 1  wherein said non-adhesive substance is biodegradable. 
     
     
       10. An absorbent device according to  claim 1  which is at least partially biodegradable. 
     
     
       11. An absorbent device that is insertable into the interlabial space of a female wearer, said absorbent device having at least one body-contacting surface, said absorbant device comprising a dried solid material on at least a portion of said body-contacting surface which dried solid material hydrated in vivo to provide tack for adherence to the labial vestibule. 
     
     
       12. The absorbent device of  claim 1  wherein said device comprises one or more components that are extensible. 
     
     
       13. An absorbent device having at least one body-contacting surface, a length, a width, a thickness, and a longitudinal centerline, said absorbent device comprising a non-adhesive substance having no initial tack on said body-contacting surface wherein said non-adhesive substance assists the absorbent device in staying in position relative to the wearer's body. 
     
     
       14. An absorbent article according to  claim 13  wherein said absorbent device is selected from the group consisting of: a diaper, a sanitary napkin, a tampon, an incontinence device, and a pantiliner.